Generational Thinking in Words and Deeds
Generational thinking means recognizing how our actions now will shape future generations. It has the power to shape a multi-generational legacy of faith.
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Generational thinking means recognizing how our actions now will shape future generations. It has the power to shape a multi-generational legacy of faith.
Read MoreGenealogies in the Bible provide important records of historical succession, continuity, & legitimacy, but also provide insights for our families.
Read MoreWe all want our families to carry out our values and spirit of generosity, but how can you translate the desire for a strong family legacy into something truly attainable? At The Signatry, we are focused on equipping families to build lasting family values and generosity. Over the years while working with families, we noticed a common theme. Families who are sure of their values tend to be more connected and to live more generously. When a family knows what it stands for and has its circle to stand with, that clarity and community usually leads to impactful, meaningful action. That’s it—one of the simplest keys to generosity that will last and transform your family: Communicate your values. If you want to begin developing your family values and growing your family’s generosity, you can start with a few steps: 1. Invest your time and behaviors in what you care about. You must be the first one to exemplify the values you want your family to share. Whether you have young children or are an empty nester, how you act and where you put your time and energy speaks clearly about your values. Your financial giving can’t be disconnected from the way you live or the attitudes you hold. Children, even from a young age, will pick up on those behaviors. Remember, your actions are a form of communication. 2. Connect the dots between actions and family values. One common mistake we see families make is to assume their values are clear. While your actions or the charities you support might be evident, have you truly connected the dots to articulate exactly what the driving value is? Do you continue to repeat that theme? True, lasting, transformational generosity starts when your family is clear on why they give. We encourage families to identify 3-5 values and create short statements to describe these. Your family can’t practice what they haven’t been taught; family values statements give you a tool to solidify and reinforce what and why you support these causes. 3. Open up family leadership opportunities. As you live with intentionality, repeating your core values and engaging with your family, look for ways to pass the baton. Create opportunities for other family members to lead during each step of the giving process. Being able to take the practice from start to finish—identifying the value, choosing a cause and organization, and deciding how to engage in generosity—teaches each family member how to engage in a generous life as they grow. Even for young kids, early chances to learn to make decisions will help reinforce values and teach them exactly how to engage in the process. Sharing these responsibilities will also look different in different seasons of life, so giving everyone the opportunity to participate will deepen connection even through the various seasons. Family values lead to family legacy. We always say that generosity is the great equalizer because, even with differing opinions in the family or in conversations about wealth, generosity becomes a place of equal participation. You all have a common goal to work toward together—to create meaningful, positive change in the world—and there are few things which can so easily unify a family. We hope this is an encouraging way to think about the basics of your family generosity. No giving plan or list of charities will fully connect with your family until you all are clear on your purpose and values together. That’s where it gets good! Solidifying your family’s values opens up the door to clarity on what matters, to deep connections, and to exciting, transformational generosity. Better yet, those clearly articulated and embodied values provide a simple pathway for future generations to understand and follow themselves. Let’s live generously for generations just as God intended.
Read More“… no legacy is so rich as honesty.” — William Shakespeare, All’s Well That Ends Well Legacy is what we leave behind. Often, this is defined by physical things –…
Read More Woven through four generations, generosity has become a central focus for members of the Phillips family. Together, they have established a family mission and created a rather unique acronym…
Read MoreHow much do I leave behind in my will for each of my desired inheritors? This can be a daunting, open-ended question for anyone, whether they have $1,000 or $1…
Read MoreHow do I teach my kids lasting values for their life ahead? It is a common question, and for good reason. Even in an age of wanting children to grow…
Read MoreAt 14 years old, Isaiah LaCombe learned that $50 could provide clean water for one person for the rest of their life. It was later that year that he chose fundraising as his extra-curricular activity,…
Read MoreThe Bible gives clear examples of how a woman’s influence is felt throughout the generations. Women influenced society in a variety of ways: through their households, religious life, economics, hospitality, service, and their overall generous nature. From Esther’s path to queen, to the determination of Mary Magdalene, generational change was affected by multiple women. There are several instances of this seen in the Old Testament, including the story of the five daughters of Zelophehad and their quest for an estate. These five vulnerable women came before their community and challenged the law of inheritance. Where a man’s property was to be inherited by his sons, the five daughters of Zelophehad were unwed and had no brothers upon their father’s passing. What happens in this case? The women made a plea for further explanation and terms in their desire to maintain their father’s legacy. They did not act in a hierarchical manner but presented their case by saying “let not our father’s name be lost.” Moses took the issue before the Lord who responded in support of the sisters’ plea. “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘The plea of Zelophehad’s daughters is just: you should give them a hereditary holding… Further, speak to the Israelite people as follows: If a man dies without leaving a son, you shall transfer his property to his daughter.’” Numbers 27: 6—8 The daughters would inherit the land and their case would become precedent for other families in which there were no sons. The boldness of the daughters of Zelophehad provides an example for women today who desire to leave a legacy. Their zeal for bonding the family and carrying on resources is an important model for many women tasked with this today. Not only are women influential in day-to-day life, women now hold a major stake in financial influence. For example, intergenerational wealth set to be inherited by women is $28.7 trillion over the next 40 years. Women also control 51% of all personal wealth in the United States and now hold the majority (52%) of management, professional, and related positions. Financial blessings coupled with the life-giving nature of women is a recipe for impact in families, churches, and charities serving the Kingdom on a global level. — At The Signatry, we strive to help women recognize and live out this God-given design to influence humanity for generations to come. Several unique opportunities we offer for personal growth with women and their families include:
Read MoreMike and Cindy Stein’s journey in generosity is marked by perseverance, commitment, and most notably an intention to multiply. Through God working in their hearts, together they discovered their legacy,…
Read MoreI recently attended a Continuing Legal Education seminar regarding estate planning, and while attending the presentations, I could not help but think about the difference in passing on a legacy…
Read MoreSo often, when people think about generosity, they start thinking of dollar signs and checks with zeroes. In training your descendants about the full experience of generosity, how can you…
Read MoreAs time moves steadily on, the generational demographics of the world are gradually shifting. Elders and Boomers are aging, and new generations are coming into their own. What does all…
Read MoreIf you are reading this, you are already in process with thinking about how to create a generous legacy. I use that term intentionally—generous legacy. In our Western culture, we’ve…
Read MoreAs Fathers Day appears on June’s calendar, it can stir many emotions and feelings inside of us. Some have the benefit of a deep and continuing relationship with their fathers,…
Read MoreIn every age, there are stories that transcend time and culture Such is the story of Abraham. We find him in Genesis 12. His family is first mentioned in Genesis…
Read MoreStephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, says, “A family mission statement is a combined unified expression from all family members of what your family is…
Read MoreMy son goes to school at Lipscomb University in Nashville. But right down the street is a far more famous university—Vanderbilt. I’ve driven by it. It’s impressive, and even by…
Read MoreWhen you meet with most advisors, they encourage you to think of retirement. “Plan for the long term” is the adage. But what about seven generations? In Jeremiah 35, God…
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